The Philippine Army yesterday dismissed as “fake news” theclaim of the Leonardo Panaligan Command that government forces allegedly suffered two casualties from their simultaneous sniping operations against detachments in Isabela, Negros Occidental, and Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

It is a ploy to project to their higher ups that they have complied with the order to launch tactical offensives, Arevalo said.

Regalado said that the simultaneous sniping operations were in response to the “militarization” in those areas, and to give justice to civilians killed during police operations in Guihulngan and neighboring areas in Negros Occidental.

The number of tactical offensives conducted by the NPA will be the basis of their share of extortion money, Arevalo said. It was also done by the NPA in Panay,when he was still the 301st Infantry Brigade commander, he said.

“When government troops deny the incidents, they (NPA) will just say that we are lying, but in fact, they are the ones lying to project a good image to their organization,” Arevalo added.

It is not just propaganda, its fooling their leaders and organization, he added.*